Writing implement



Dec. 25, 1962 J. L. RUDEN WRITING IMPLEMENT Filed July 27, 1961 INVENTOR Joseph L. Ruden ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 25, 1962 3,070,069 WRITING IMIPLEMENT Joseph L. Ruden, 37 College Drive, Jersey City, NJ. Filed July 27, 1961, Ser. No. 127,318 7 Claims. (Cl. 12042.03)

This invention relates in general to a writing implement, and more specifically to an improved top action writing implement, such as a ball type pen or the like, of the type having a reciprocating stylus means movable between operative protracted and inoperative retracted positions.

The known top action mechanisms utilized in Writing implements, such as ball point pens, for protracting and retracting a stylus between operative and inoperative positions, are relatively complicated, employing a relatively large number of moving parts, many of which require finished machined surfaces and very close working tolerances. As a result, the manufacturing costs of such mechanisms are generally quite high in proportion to the cost of the other component elements of the pen. As a consequence the high manufacturing costs are passed on to the consumer.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved relatively simple and inexpensive top action mechanism for effecting movement of the stylus of a writing implement between operative protracted and inoperative retracted positions.

Another object is to provide a Writing implement of the type above indicated having an improved top action mechanism incorporating a minimum of moving parts. Still another object is to provide a top action writing implement that can be readily assembled and disassembled with a maximum of ease, and in which the stylus means or cartridge unit can be readily replaced upon depletion of its ink supply.

A further object is to provide a writing implement of the type having a retractable and protractable stylus with an improved top action mechanism that is positive in operation and which implement is particularly adapted for economic mass production.

A feature resides in the provision that the improved top action mechanism comprises a plunger means that can be made entirely in one piece either as a molded or vdie formed part.

Another feature of this invention resides in the provision of an improved top action plunger means having a pair of angularly disposed finger means of dissimilar lengths arranged and constructed to alternately cooperate with inclined slots formed in the barrel portion of the implement for maintaining the stylus in either operative or inoperative position upon successively depressing and releasing of the plunger.

Other features and advantages will become readily apparent when considered in view of the drawings and accompanying detail description thereof in which:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a ball type writing implement embodying the instant invention with the parts thereof shown in the operative protracted position.

FIG. 2 is a section view of the implement shown in FIG. 1 with the parts thereof shown in inoperative retracted position.

FIG. 3 is a perspective detail View of the improved plunger means of the instant invention.

FIG. 4 is a plan sectional view taken along line -44 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a plan section view of the barrel only taken along line S-5 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a plan sectional view taken along line 66 of FIG. 1 of the barrel portion only.

Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated a writing implement, herein depicted as a ball type pen or the like 10 in which the stylus means 11 is adapted to project or retract between operative and inoperative positions. The implement or pen 10 comprises essentially an elongated barrel 12 having a bore 13 extending therethrough. As shown the lower end of the barrel 12 is tapered in the usual manner to give it a pleasant and pleasing outline. Adjacent the upper end of the barrel 12, there is formed in opposite wall portions thereof, i.e. apart, a pair of inclined holding means, eg slots 14 and 15. Preferably the centerline of the slots 14 and 15 is inclined at a 45 angle, and as shown, the upper end of each slot 14 and 15 is provided with a notch 14A, 15A formed in the lower edge of the respective slot to define an enlarged upper end. At an intermediate point between the ends of the barrel 12, there is preferably integrally formed about the inner circumference thereof a cam track 16 consisting of a plurality of inclined surfaces 16A defining a plurality of upwardly extending indexing teeth 163. In the illustrated form eight such indexing teeth 16B are formed, each having an inclined surface 16A that traverses a 45 are or segment of the barrel circumference; and all teeth 16B are sloped in the same direction, as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 5. In the illustrated embodiment the teeth 16B are sloped so as to impart a clockwise rotation to a plunger means 17 as will be hereinafter described. It is to be noted that the slots 14 and 15 in the upper end of the barrel 12 are sloped in a direction opposite to that of the sloping surfaces 16A of the teeth 16B formed on corresponding wall portions of the barrel. If desired the internal surface of the barrel may be also formed in the upper end thereof with two or four equally spaced longitudinally extending grooves 18. As best seen in FIG. 6, four such grooves 18 are shown.

Completing the barrel assembly 12 is -a resilient clip 19 which has formed at its free end a rounded portion 19A which is adapted to mate with a recess 20 so as to provide a more positive gripping action. Thus it will be apparent that the barrel 12 consists of a single unitary member that can be readily molded of suitable plastic material or the like and therefore readily adapted for economic mass production.

Reciprocally mounted within the barrel 12 is the stylus means 11 adapted to be movable between operative protracted position, as shown in FIG. 1, or inoperative retracted position, as shown in FIG. 2. The stylus means 11 of the illustrated embodiment comprises a conventional ball type point 11A and connected cartridge 11B forming a reservoir for the ink supply. A spring 21 is coiled about the lower end of the sylus means 11 and it is compressed between an internal shoulder portion 22 in the lower end of the barrel 12 and a projection 11C on the cartridge for normally maintaining the stylus means 11 under spring tension.

In accordance with this invention a new and novel simplified top action mechanism is provided for effecting protraction and retraction of the ball point 11A upon successive depression of a push button or plunger means 17 positioned in the upper end of the barrel.

Accordingly, it will be noted that the plunger means 17 is acting against the upper end of the cartridge 11B so as to resist the action of the spring 21 tending to force the stylus means 11 upwardly.

In accordance with this invention, and as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the improved plunger means 17 consist of an upper push button portion 17A which is adapted to project beyond the upper end of the barrel when in position, a lower base portion 17B, a reduced depending boss 17C connected to the lower surface of the base portion 17B and a web portion 17D interconnecting the push button portion 17A with the base portion 17B. integrally connected to the base 17B and projecting upwardly therefrom there are two angularly disposed spring fingers 17E, 17F, and as shown one finger 17E is longer than the other 17F. Adjacent its respective upper end each finger 17E, 17F is provided with an outwardly extending projection 23, 24 respectively. The projections 23, 24 of each finger 17E, 17F are angularly disposed so as to project on preferably right angles or on 90 axes.

Projecting outwardly from opposite sides of the boss 17C are inclined cam surfaces 25 which are aligned so as to engage the sloping surfaces 16A of the indexing teeth 16B of cam track 16, as will be hereinafter described. While cam track 16 and cam surfaces 25 are shown as part of the barrel 12 and plunger 17 respectively, it will be understood that the position of cam track 16 and cam surfaces 25 can be reversed without departing from the spirit of this invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, it will be noted that with the plunger means 17 in place within the barrel 12 and in the operative protracted position of FIG. 1, the lower end of the boss 17C is spaced slightly above the upper end of the cam track 16 and the projection 23 of the long finger 17E is urged against the upper end of the slot 14, thereby to resist the force exerted by spring 21. Thus the stylus means 11 is locked in protracted position.

In the construction and arrangement of the component parts above described, the protraction and retraction of the ball point 11A between operative and inoperative position is attained simply by successively depressing and releasing the plunger means 17.

With the parts described and positioned in the manner illustrated in FIG. 1, the operation of the implement is as follows:

To retract the ball tip 11A to a position within the barrel 12, as shown in FIG. 2, a force is applied to the upper end of the plunger or push button 17A to depress or displace the same inwardly of the barrel 12. It will be observed that the initial downward displacement of the plunger means 17 caused the projection 23 to be moved across the recess 14A formed in the lower edge portion of slot 14. In doing so the projection 23 is cammed inwardly of the barrel 12 and out of engagement with slot 14, while at the same time the cam surface 25 of projection 25A is brought into engagement with one of the indexing teeth 16B. Upon further inward displacement of the plunger 17, the cam surface 25 contacting the slope 16a of one of the teeth 168 will impart a clockwise rotation to the plunger means 17. Because the teeth 16B traverses a 45 segment, the plunger 11B will make a A; revolution. In doing so the long finger 17E is moved away from slot 14 while the short finger 17F is moved into alignment with slot 14 due to the predetermined angular displacement of the fingers 17E, 17F with respect to one another.

Thus, with the short finger 17F brought into alignment with slot 14 at the end of the downward stroke, the force acting on the push button 17A is released, thereby permitting the spring 21 to push the plunger 17 upwardly. In doing so the laterally extending projection 24 on short finger 17F is moved into engagement with the inclined slot 14, the upper edge of the slot exerting a camming action thereon so as to impart an additional rotation to the plunger means 17. As the spring 21 causes the projection 24 of the short finger 17F to ride to the top of the respective slots, the ball point 11A is retracted within the barrel. See FIG. 2. From the foregoing discussion it will be apparent that the length of stroke or movement of the stylus is equal to the difference between the height or length of the two spring fingers 17E, 17F.

To protract the ball point 11A from the retracted position of FIG. 2, the sequence of operation is repeated. Initial depression of the plunger means 17 will cause the projection 24 of spring finger 17F across recess 14A in the lower edge of slot 14 and at the same time effect an inwardly camming action thereon to effect disengagement between the slot 14 and projection 24. With the projection 24 disengaged from the slot 14, continued depression of the plunger means 17 effects rotation thereof in a continued clockwise direction due to the co-action between cams 25 and teeth 163. At the end of this move ment projection 23 of finger 17F is brought into alignment with slot 15 on the back side of the barrel. Thus upon release of the plunger 17, the spring 21 urges the plunger 17 outwardly and thereby brings projection 23 into registry with slot 15. As the projection 23 is forced to ride up the slot 15 under the spring action, an additional rotation is imparted to the plunger 17 thus putting the short finger 17F 45 out of phase with slot 15 when the ball point is protracted, and the ball point is again locked in protracted position.

To again retract the ball point 11A and for each successive protraction and retraction thereafter the described action is repeated.

In accordance with this invention positive engagement of the cam surfaces 25 with indexing teeth 16A is effected by grooves 18. Each groove 18 is spaced so that either one or both projections 23, 24 is permitted to register therewith in either the retracted or protracted position of the stylus. The grooves are spaced so that upon initial depression of the plungers, the grooves will guide the plunger in a straight downwardly direction, and thus" insure that cam surface 25 engages the slope 16A of the teeth of the cam track 16. In this manner the cam surfaces 25 are prevented from being inadvertently rotated out of alignment from its corresponding index tooth 16A, which if this were permitted to occur would prevent proper operation of the implement.

From the above description it will be apparent that the plunger means 17 consists simply of a unitary element that is readily adapted to be either molded or die formed from .any suitable material, e.g. a styrene or other suitable plastic or the like. Thus the feature of this invention resides in a top action mechanism that consists of a single element which is particularly formed and which is cooperative with the structure of the barrel to effect successive retraction and protraction of the stylus means.

To replace the cartridge to replace sytlus means 11, removal of the plunger means 17 can be effected simply by pressing either projection 23- or 24, depending on which is engaged in one of the slots 14, 15, inwardly of the barrel to disengage the same from the slot, with a suitable sharp or pointed implement. In doing so the spring action will cause the plunger means 17 to pop out of the barrel and the stylus means can then be readily replaced. To reassemble the plunger means 17 is merely to reposition by inserting the same into the open end of the barrel 12 with one of the fingers 17E, 17F positioned in alignment with one of the slots. When the aligned finger comes into registry with its aligned slot, the respective projection will automatically snap in position, and hold the parts in assembled position.

While the instant invention has been disclosed with reference to a particular embodiment thereof, it is to be appreciated that the invention is not to be taken as limited to all of the details thereof as modifications and variations thereof may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An improved top action writing implement comprising a barrel having a bore extending therethrough and a pair of oppositely disposed holding means formed in opposite wall portions thereof adjacent the upper end of said barrel, a stylus means mounted in said barrel for longitudinal movement between operative protracted position and inoperative retracted position, a plunger mounted in the upper end of said barrel acting on said stylus means, a spring acting on said stylus means normally urging said stylus means in engagement with said plunger, said plunger having a pair of angularly disposed finger means adapted to alternately engage with one of said holding means, one of said fingers being longer than the other, and cooperating cam means on said barrel and plunger operatively associated upon depressing said plunger for efiecting rotation of said plunger to position one of said fingers in alignment with one of said inclined holding means, and said spring acting on said stylus means biasing said plunger so that the aligned finger is urged against the upper end of an inclined holding means upon release of said plunger so that the respective finger means in engagement with said holding means maintains said stylus in alternate retracted or protracted position accordingly.

2. An improved top action writing implement comprising a barrel having a bore extending therethrough and a pair of oppositely disposed inclined slots formed in opposite wall portions thereof adjacent the upper end of said barrel, a stylus means mounted in said barrel for longitudinal movement between operative pro-tracted position and inoperative retracted posit-ion, a plunger mounted in the upper end of said barrel acting on said stylus means, a spring acting on said stylus means normally urging said stylus means in engagement with said plunger, said plunger having a pair of angularly disposed finger means having means adapted to alternately engage with one of said slots, one of said fingers being longer than the other, and cooperating cam means on said barrel and plunger operatively associated upon depressing said plunger for effecting rotation of said plunger to position one of said fingers in alignment with one of said inclined slots, and said spring acting on said stylus means biasing said plunger so that the aligned finger is urged against the upper end of an aligned slot upon release of said plunger so that the respective finger means in engagement with said slots maintains said stylus in alternate retracted or protracted position accordingly.

3. The invention as defined in claim 2 and including means to insure positive alignment between the cooperating cam means on said barrel and plunger.

4. The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein said aligning means include a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves formed in the barrel.

5. An improved top action writing implement comprising a barrel having a bore extending therethrough, a stylus including a ball point and connected ink cartridge mounted in said barrel for longitudinal movement between operative protracted position and inoperative retracted position, a plunger reciprocally and rotatably mounted in the upper end of said barrel, said plunger including a push button portion extending beyond the upper end of the barrel, and a pair of angularly disposed spring fingers integrally connected to said plunger, one of said fingers being longer than the other and each of said fingers having an outwardly extending projection angularly disposed at right angles relative to each other, spring means acting on said stylus normally urging said stylus against said plunger, a cam track having a plurality of indexing teeth formed integrally of said barrel about the internal circumference thereof adjacent the lower end of said plunger, and a cooperating cam surface projecting from said plunger adapted to engage the indexing teeth of said cam track upon the depressing of said push button to effect a limited rotation of said plunger, and a pair of inclined slots formed in the opposite wall portions of the barrel between the cam track and the upper end of said barrel, said slots being positioned so that the projections on each of said fingers are successively and alternately aligned upon each successive depression of said plunger with one of said slots so that said stylus is protracted when the long finger is urged against the upper end of said slot, and said stylus is retracted when said short finger is urged against the upper end of said slots upon the release of said plunger.

6. An improved top action writing implement comprising a barrel having a bore extending therethrough, a stylus including a ball point and connected ink cartridge mounted in said barrel for longitudinal movement between operative protracted position and inoperative retracted position, a plunger reciprocally and rotatably mounted in the upper end of said barrel, said plunger having a push button portion extending beyond the upper end of the barrel, a base portion disposed within said barrel, a reduced depending boss portion connected to said base portion, an elongated web portion interconnecting said push button portion with said base portion, and a pair of spring fingers integrally connected to and spatially disposed on the base of said plunger, one of said fingers being longer than the other, and each of said fingers having an outwardly extending projection angularly disposed at right angles relative to each other, spring means acting on said stylus normally urging said stylus against said boss, a cam track having a plurality of indexing teeth formed integrally of said barrel about 7 the internal circumference thereof adjacent to and disposed immediately below said boss, and a cooperating cam surface projecting from said boss for engaging the indexing teeth of said cam track upon the depressing of said push button and connected base portion to effect a limited rotation of said plunger, a pair of inclined slots formed in the opposite wall portions of the barrel between the cam track and the upper end of the barrel, said slots being positioned so that the projections on each of said fingers are alternately aligned upon successive depressions of said plunger with one of said slots due to the limited rotation of said plunger and angular displacement therebetween whereby upon the release of the push button the bias of said spring urges said plunger outwardly allowing the finger projections aligned with said slot to engage the inclined edge of the slot to effect a camming action therebetween and whereby said stylus is maintained in protracted position when the long finger projection is urged against the upper end of said slots and said stylus being maintained in retracted position when said short finger projection is urged against the upper of said slots.

7. An improved top action writing implement comprising a barrel having a bore extending therethrough, a stylus including a ball point and connected ink cartridge mounted in said barrel for longitudinal movement between operative protracted position and inoperative retracted position, a plunger reciprocally and rotatably mounted in the upper end of said barrel, said plunger including a push button portion extending beyond the upper end of the barrel, a base portion disposed within said barrel, said base having a reduced depending boss portion connected thereto, an elongated web portion interconnecting said push button portion with said base portion, and a pair of spring fingers integrally connected to and spatially disposed on the base of said plunger, one of said fingers being longer than the other and each of said fingers having an outwardly extending projection angularly disposed at right angles relative to each other, spring means acting on said stylus normally urging said stylus against said boss, a cam track having a plurality of indexing teeth formed integrally of said barrel about the vinternal circumference thereof adjacent said boss, and a cooperating cam surface projecting from said boss for engaging the indexing teeth of said cam track upon the depression of said push button and connected base portion to effect a limited rotation of said plunger, and means for eflecting continued rotation of said plunger upon release of said plunger, said latter means including a pair of inclined slots formed in the opposite wall portions of the barrel between the cam track and the upper end of said barrel, said slots being positioned so that the projections on each of said fingers are successively and alternately aligned upon each successive depression of said plunger with one of said slots for maintaining said stylus protracted when the long finger is urged against the upper end of .said slot and in retracted position when said short finger is urged against the upper of said slots, and a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves formed in the upper end of the barrel to provide positive alignment between the respective indexing teeth and the cooperating cam surface of said boss.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 854,827 Kuhne May 28, 1907 FOREIGN PATENTS 18,426 Great Britain of 1889 1,010,739 France Mar. 26, 1952 

